Chapter 13 - The Veil Test

Markandeya drifted in meditation within the sanctuary of his inner world, the ambient hum of his cultivation paths flowing like rivers beneath his soul. Fire swirled gently along the spine of his Qi spiral, while the single chakra node pulsed with newfound rhythm after absorbing remnants of mist-beast energy. His proto realm had begun solidifying—no longer an abstract void, but a mist-laced plane with fragments of stone and light suspended in embryonic balance.

But his stillness was broken.

> [System Alert: Mandatory Trial - Veil of Self] Type: Soul-Level Trial Trigger: Intersection of Cultivation Paths Conditions: No Retreat. No External Aid. No Time Limit.

Markandeya's eyes snapped open.

"A soul trial now? So soon?"

> [This Trial Is Required to Harmonize Active Cultivation Paths. Declining will result in System Collapse.]

He cursed under his breath.

No choice.

"Alright. Show me."

The realm rippled.

Then darkness fell.

No, not darkness—absence.

Color drained. Sound died. Even time itself frayed.

He stood in a void of soft greys, shadows moving like thoughts. And ahead of him—

Himself.

No. Not just himself. A mirror-version. Older. Wiser. Deadlier.

This version of Markandeya had twelve chakra nodes open, wielded flames shaped like beasts, and walked as though gravity bowed beneath him.

> [Welcome to the Veil of Self] Face What You May Become. Resist. Surrender. Or Integrate.

The doppelgänger smiled.

"So, you made it this far," the older Markandeya said, voice laced with subtle disdain. "A survivor. Clever. But not yet worthy."

Markandeya narrowed his eyes. "You're a version of me?"

"One potential version," the doppelgänger said, circling him. "A future where you took the fastest route. Ruthless growth. Abandoning the emotional core. Escaping the ties that slow us."

Markandeya clenched his fists. "That's not who I am."

"Not yet," his mirror-self replied.

> [Trial Start: Harmonize or Resist] Path Conflict Detected: Chakra Emotion vs Faith Logic vs Qi Survival Instinct

Suddenly, the inner world twisted into three mirrored domains:

—A burning forest of rage and passion (Chakra) —A silver citadel of order and stars (Faith) —A stone canyon riddled with bones and fire pits (Qi)

Each domain tugged at him. Each one wanted dominance.

He had to step into all three.

---

First: The Burning Forest (Chakra Path)

Markandeya entered.

Emotions surged. Memories replayed—his mother's harsh words, his father's distant silence, classmates mocking his dreams.

A younger version of himself—barely ten years old—sat crying beneath a flaming tree.

"Why try?" the child asked. "No one believes in us."

Markandeya knelt beside the child. His own pain stirred.

"Because someone has to believe first. Even if it's just us."

He reached out. The child fused into him—becoming one.

> [Emotional Core Integrated. Chakra Node Expanded to 2.]

The flames calmed. The trees sang.

He left the forest, heart steadier.

---

Second: The Stone Canyon (Qi Path)

Heat. Silence. Survival.

Predators stalked the ridges—beasts made of ash and hunger.

He ran. Climbed. Fought with fists and fire. A trial of body and instinct.

In a moment of exhaustion, a beast cornered him.

But instead of attacking, it spoke.

"Why do you endure?"

He replied, breathing hard, "Because I refuse to break."

The beast bowed its head. Then dissolved into flames.

> [Qi Spiral Reinforced. Fire Affinity Deepened. Passive: Flame Resilience (+5%) unlocked.]

---

Third: The Silver Citadel (Faith Path)

Cold logic. Celestial silence.

He stood in a temple of star-metal, with walls inscribed in divine scripts.

A priest stood beside an altar. "To command faith is to shape reality. But only if you sacrifice self-doubt."

Markandeya hesitated.

Then he stepped to the altar. Burned his doubts.

> [Proto-Realm Expanded. Faith Seed Stabilized. Companion Slot Unlocked.]

He left the citadel with calm certainty.

---

The three domains faded.

And his mirror-self waited again.

But now, the aura around it cracked. Its smug posture dimmed.

"You harmonized? So early?"

"I survived," Markandeya said.

Then he stepped forward and merged with the image.

> [Trial Complete: Veil of Self] Rewards: • Soul Harmony (Minor) • Cultivation Paths Aligned (+20% synergy) • Companion Egg Received: [Type: Mythic Hatchling - Unknown Element]

> [System Evolution Unlocked: Chat Group Feature - Subspace Arena Access] [Bonus: Title Earned - Walker Between Paths]

---

He snapped awake in his core realm, breathing deeply.

But things had changed.

The Faith realm now had floating crystal roads. The Qi fire spun in tighter vortexes. And the second chakra node glowed steadily.

In his hand, a small egg pulsed—its surface etched with runes that shimmered in seven colors.

A companion.

He grinned.

Then the system pinged again.

> [New Feature: Subspace Arena - Challenge Other Cultivators in Real-Time Simulations for Points and Rare Resources]

> First Arena Challenge Incoming… Opponent: "Ash Emperor's Lost Disciple" Rank: 3 Realms Above Challenge Type: Tactical Showdown (Non-Lethal)

Markandeya stood slowly.

"Time to test how far I've come."

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